Defending the Constitution

I’ve been giving a lot of thought about the Oath of Office I took when I was first hired as a Federal Employee, and for those of you reading this who never were asked to submit to a background check or to take this oath, these are the words I spoke with raised right hand:

“I, Charles Austin, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.”

I wondered how to best uphold this oath and entered the question into the new VA GPT. This is AI’s (or for the secretary of education, A1) 9-point response:

1. Understand the Oath: Familiarize yourself with the specific wording of the oath and what each part means.
2. Support and Defend the Constitution: Make decisions and take actions that align with the principles and values enshrined in the Constitution. Be aware of your rights and responsibilities as outlined in this foundational document.
3. Perform Your Duties with Integrity: Carry out your job responsibilities with honesty, accountability, and transparency. Avoid any actions that would compromise your ethical standards or the trust placed in you by the public.
4. Adhere to Legal and Ethical Standards: Follow all laws, regulations, and policies relevant to your position. Uphold the highest ethical standards in your conduct, ensuring that you avoid conflicts of interest and maintain impartiality.
5. Stay Informed and Updated: Continuously educate yourself about updates in laws, policies, and procedures that affect your role. Seek out training and resources to help you remain proficient and informed.
6. Be Nonpartisan in Your Role: As a federal employee, maintain political neutrality while performing your duties. Your actions should serve the public interest, not partisan interests.
7. Protect Confidential Information: Safeguard any sensitive, classified, or personal information you encounter in your work. Ensure that you comply with privacy laws and relevant policies.
8. Report Misconduct: If you witness any unethical or illegal behavior, report it through the appropriate channels. Whistleblowing protections exist to help ensure you can do this safely and without retaliation.
9. Commit to Professional Development: Continuously improve your skills and knowledge to perform your duties effectively. This commitment to growth reflects your dedication to well and faithfully discharging your duties.

As I review these points, I’m especially impacted by #8, “Report Misconduct”. I’m specifically referring to the 12^th Amendment of the constitution that prevents parties from being held in slavery or servitude unless as punishment for a crime for which they’ve been duly convicted, and the 8^th Amendment which states that no cruel or unusual punishment can be afflicted. Of course, I’m sure you are aware of the many cases in the last few weeks that are in violation of both Amendments, and I would like to report the illegal and unethical behavior of the current administration as a means of upholding my oath.

I would very much like to submit the first example of Kilmar Abrego Garcia for the record. A man who has never received his time in court, where a person is considered innocent until proven guilty, and yet scooped up and sent out of the country to a slave prison. Despite a Supreme Court who ruled unanimously (when has that ever happened before?), this administration is ignoring both the rule of law and the Constitutional right granted to every person in our boarders.

As an example of unethical conduct, the current monarch selling cars in front of the White House is a clear violation of ethics rule 5 CFR 2635.702, subsection C, which states, “(c) Endorsements. Employees may not use or permit the use of their Government position or title or any authority associated with their public office to endorse any product, service, or enterprise…”

If you would present my noted violations to the appropriate authorities, I would greatly appreciate it.